Dear Sisters,

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” - Margaret Meade, Anthropologist

As members of the Ladies Auxiliary to the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, we are a team. We are a team bound together by our love for veterans and for our country. Merriam-Webster’s dictionary defines love as “the unselfish, loyal and benevolent concern for the good of another.” That’s what we in the Ladies Auxiliary VFW have: unselfish, loyal and benevolent concern for our veterans and our country.

For 97 years, the Ladies Auxiliary VFW has cared about our veterans and our active-duty military and their families. This is why we have volunteered. This is why we have served. And this is why we continue to do so! Whether we are visiting veterans in VA medical centers, donating to the VFW National Home for Children, hosting a welcome-home party for returning military, teaching flag etiquette to students, or contacting legislators on the VFW Legislative Priorities, we actively demonstrate our love for our veterans and our country in all that we do.

I am honored to lead the 550,000 members of the Ladies Auxiliary VFW for the 2010-2011 year under the theme United by Love for Our Veterans and Country. Our unity makes us strong. Our individuality makes us vibrant. Our Sisterhood makes us family. Join me this year in serving our veterans and military families!

In Loyalty,

Cortina Barnes
National President

About the President...

Cortina Barnes is from the District of Columbia where she has been a member for 23 years. She is eligible through her father, Benjamin Willis, who served in the European Theatre during World War II. She is a Life Member of Woodbridge Auxiliary 9775, where she first became active as a member. She has served in several capacities on all levels of the organization, including Department President. She is retired after 32 years with the federal government and is married to Gerald Barnes, a Native American expert on basket weaving and lecturer on Native American culture, as well as a VFW member.